Carmelo Laquidara joins DA's office

Published 4:26 pm, Monday, May 12, 2014

TROY – A former part-time Rensselaer city judge and longtime prosecutor and defense attorney began his first day Monday as Rensselaer County's First Assistant District Attorney.

Carmelo Laquidara, a former assistant district attorney in that office and for the Albany County District Attorney, stepped down from the city bench last week to take the position.

In March, a search committee formed by county Democrats endorsed Laquidara to run for district attorney in November, a seat vacated Jan. 1 when Richard McNally was sworn in as a state Supreme Court judge.

Official endorsements for the seat are expected this month.

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Laquidara has yet to formally announce any plans.

Laquidara, on the city bench since 2007, has been an attorney in private practice and a defense attorney. As a former assistant district attorney, he worked on domestic violence cases in Rensselaer County and prosecuted street crimes in Albany County. He also worked as a U.S. Customs Service officer.

He and his wife, Julie, and two daughters live in Rensselaer.

Acting District Attorney Arthur Glass, who worked for many years in the public defender's office, is retiring and has no plans to run for the office. He has said he will stay on through the transition.

Laquidara, a graduate of Albany Law School, lost the Democratic primary for county judge in September.

McNally was elected Rensselaer County district attorney in 2007 by defeating Republican Greg Cholakis. McNally won re-election in 2011, beating GOP challenger Joel Abelove.